Altimetric device for use in the production of plans and maps in relief



H. ARNOLD. ALTIMETRIC DEVICE FOR USE IN THE PRODUCTION OF PLANS AND MAPSIN APPLlCATION FILED APR. 19, 1918.

Patented June 22, 1920.

TifPE UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY ARNOLD, OF PARIS, FRANCE, ASSIGNOR TO SOCIETE FRANCAISE DEDITIONSPHOTO-CARTOGRAPHIQUES, OF PARIS, FRANCE, A CORPORATION OF FRANCE.

ALTIMETRIC' DEVICE FOR USE. IN THE PRODUCTION OF PLANS AND MAPS INRELIEF.

Be it known that I, I'IENRY ARNoLn, citizen of Republic of France, andresiding at Paris, Seine, France, 12 Avenue du Maine,

have invented Improvements in Altimetric Devices for Use in theProduction of Plans and Maps in Relief, of which the following is aspecification.

The present invention has for its subject an altimetric device renderingit possible to produce very quickly and with the greatest possibleexactitude plans and maps in relief to any desired scale. these plans ormaps giving very exactly the reproduction in relief of a basic plan onwhich the levels are indicated by curves of contour. These reproductionsin relief are particularly use ful. for the geographical services of wardepartments, although they are useful also for many other technicalpurposes.

The principle on which the altimetric device forming the subject of thepresent invention depends, consists essentially in effectingcontinuously the projections of a planimeter given on the successivealtimetric planes corresponding to the levels of contour of the givenbasic plan, without any vrisk of relative displacement, theseprojections rendering it possible to trans latethe contours rapidly,easily and with great exactitude into relief surfaces correspending withthe indications on the plan.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichFigure 1 is a perspective View of the device, a

1 Fig. 2 shows a view 1n partial elevation illustrating a modified formof the device,

and

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the apparatus there shown comprises threeindependent parts as follows i 1st. A rectangular base 1), p of variabledimensions formed of a platform p on which is mounted in relief theplate 2' whose dimensions are somewhat less than will correspond withthe dimensions of the reproduction in relief to be effected. At each ofits corners the platform 1 carries rigid pillars m, m which may beformed, for instance, of angle iron members. and each of which isgraduated on one of its faces in such a manner that thesegraduated facescorrespond in pairs to the Same plane Specification of Letters Patent.

1918. Serial No. 229,635.

any suitable clamping device such as screw clamps or set screws 4).

2nd. A movable frame or rectangle a of wood, with its corners cutout soas to slide freely but with some friction between the pillars m of theplatform 2), this frame being adapted to rest on the transverse metalbars 1', beyond which it projects a little, and to rest between thepillars which serve as guides for the frame.

3rd. A metal rule which is completely independent of the other parts,and may be of any convenient thickness and length such that it will besupported firmly when. resting on the lateral bars r.

In order to use the apparatus formed as above described, the operationsare as follows: The basic plan 0 showing the contours which it isdesired to transform into a relief map of the same scale, is applied bya suitable adhesive to the lower face or edges of the frame a, and thena pile or layer of suitable plastic material such as clay, a plasticpasteor the like, is laid on the plate 2, after which the transversebars 7* are fixed at the graduation on the pillars m corresponding tothe first altimetric level of the lowest contour shown on the plan; thisgraduation is of course arbitrary and of a greater or less height according as it is desired to accentuate to a greater or less extent therelief surface on the plan, as is generally required in practice whenmaking profile reliefs. A scale ratio may in fact be adopted which isgreater for heights than for lengths.

When this has been done the metal rule forming the third element abovereferred to, is laid on the two transverse bars 7' which serve as guidesfor the same, and is moved over these bars so as to smooth off thesurface of the plastic or pasty mass laid on the plate 19', in such amanner as to obtain a single plain surface at the desired level. Thenthe frame a is introduced between the pillars m so that it rests uponthe transverse bars 1", and the plan itself on the frame then contactswith the plastic surface. Next, the curve of contour corresponding tothe height to which the bars r Patented June 22, 1920.

are set is traced out on the plan by the point of a pencil or toolfollowing this curve, thus reproducing on the plate the first layer ofmaterial traced out from the first contour curve. After this tracing operation the frame a with its plan is removed.

A second layer of the plastic material is now deposited on the first,within the borders of the contour first traced out, and this secondlayer is smoothed off to a height corresponding to the level of thesecond contour, which height is fixed by adjusting the transverse bars1' to the height corresponding to the altitude of the second contour,the smoothing off being effected by the third element of the device ashas been described already for the first layer of material and the firstcontour. The frame a with its plan is now replaced between the pillarsm, and its second contour is traced out on the second layer of plasticmaterial. l/Vhen this has been done, and two curves at different planeshave thus been obtained, the step or gap which separates the contours'isfilled in with plastic material to form an oblique surface representingthe ground surface be tween the contours. After this, the frame isreplaced between the pillars, where it is readyfor use in the nexttracing operation. As a result of the preceding operations there aretraced out on the model thus obtained, all the planimetric indicationswhich exist between the curves at two different altitudes; after thisthe same set of operations is repeated for each of the succeeding curvesof contour throughout the whole lan.

In t is way a complete relief model is obtained very easily,corresponding scale for scale with the plan, and if it is carefully madeit will reproduce absolutely the indications given on the basic plan.

In the modification indicated in Fig. 2, the angle iron pillars m arereplaced by screw-threaded cylindrical pillars m which iarry scalesmounted in suitable depressions or grooves c, for example as indicatedin section in Fig. 3.. On the screw-threaded cylindrical pillars workmicrometer nuts or screws 6 which when turned can be adjusted veryaccurately to different positions in height, and can be locked by locknuts or screws 7 which will fix the nuts 7) accurately in position. Onthese nuts then rests a rectangular frame 1'' replacing the transversebars 9' of the first construction, and serving like these latter toguide the rigid ruler which is employed to smooth off the plasticmaterial at the different surface levels. The apparatus is completed bya movable frame a formed as above described and serving to carry thebasic contour plan as already explained. This frame a may be guided inposition on the frame either by means of inter-engaging ribs and groovesor by means of stops at each side of the frame.

The apparatus as above described and as shown by way of example in Figs.1 and 2 of the drawings, renders it possible to trace out at eachsuccessive elevation the planimetric indications which will be met within the region of the ground thus plotted, and in this way a projectionon the horizontal surface is secured which corresponds rigorously withthat of the basic plan, without,

any possible relative deplacements or deformations.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my saidinvention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare thatwhat I claim is 1. An altimetric device for reproducing plans and mapsin relief with great accuracy to any scale, comprising a base withmembers adjustably mounted thereon and provided. with scales forvertical adjustment, and a member for carrying the orig inal contourplan and guiding it truly over the base, so that said plan may contactwith a plastic material deposited on the base.

2. An altime tric device for reproducing maps and plans in relief,having in combination a rigid base or platform, vertical pillars thereongraduated on one face, transverse bars or frame members whose edgesprovide a guide track, means for clamping said frame members at anydesired height on the pillars, said frame members providing a guide fora device adapted .to be moved over the bars or frame membersforsmoothing off the layers of plastic material to the various contourlevels, and a frame adapted to hold the contour map or plan, and toslide between the pillars, this frame being removable, and being usedfor tracing out the contours on the layers of plastic material from thecontour lines on the plan, substantially as described.

3, The modified construction of the device.

set forth in claim 2, wherein screw threaded cylindrical pillars areused with micrometer nuts andlock nuts working upon them, and serving tosupport a rectangular; frame which is adjusted to the various contourheights, this frame providing av guide for a smoothing rule, and asupport for the frame carrying the contour plan, substantially asdescribed.

y In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY ARNOLD.

Witnesses Julius FAYoLnn'r, CHAS. P. PRcssLY.

